Page 97 of Washed Up

‘I came that way already. They’ve got light,’ he said gruffly. ‘It’s only this side. I came to see if you were all okay. But I see that you are. So, I’ll go.’

Frankie took a step towards him, her heart twisting in her chest but still ever so conscious of Dylan’s leg resting against hers in the darkness.

‘Jake. Wait. I…’

What am I doing?

‘I’ll see you tomorrow, Frankie,’ he said, voice like gravel. And with that, he was gone.

She sat back down. Dylan’s knee was pressed against hers again.

‘See?’ she said. ‘He’s not my hulking fisherman.’

‘Are you sure about that?’ said Dylan. ‘He definitely seems to think he is.’

‘Quite sure,’ said Frankie firmly.

‘Good. So, where were we?’

Frankie bit her lip, which only made Dylan’s gaze intensify. Frankie’s bones began dissolving into treacle and it was all she could do not to melt into him.

She swallowed. ‘He’s not my fisherman but…’

Dylan’s head moved back a fraction. ‘But…?’

‘Look, I don’t want to be unfair to Jake. I’ve known him for years. He’s a lovely guy.’

‘He always seems kind of uppity to me,’ said Dylan, giving an ironic twist of his mouth that made Frankie hit him on the arm.

‘Don’t be rude. He’s actually a really good guy and I don’t want to hurt him.’

Dylan moved closer and her breath hitched. ‘What makes you think we’re going to do anything to hurt him?’ he said, his eyes roaming over her body.

Frankie nearly lost the power of speech. ‘I’m serious,’ she squeaked out.

‘So am I.’

‘Dylan.’

He lifted his hands and moved a few inches away from her in one smooth movement. She immediately wanted him to come back. ‘Fine,’ he said. ‘You’re right. We need to play fair.’

‘Do you even know how to play fair?’ said Frankie, lifting an eyebrow.

Dylan did a good job of feigning offence. ‘Charming. I always play fair, I’ll have you know.’

‘Oh yeah, sure. So are you dating Lindsey Luft this week or whichever Rockington girl it is?’

To her surprise, he didn’t even flinch. ‘Been googling me, have you?’ he said smoothly.

Damn. Busted.

‘No. Not exactly. I just heard some rumours, that’s all.’

‘Out here? Sure, you did.’

‘Okay, fine. I googled you. I’m only human.’

Something flashed in his eyes, that shadow appeared again for a split second and then it was gone. He frowned. ‘When did you google me, out of interest?’